Three teams chosen to compete for contract to design, build $750M Wadsworth lab

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Albany

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the three teams that will compete for the contract to design the new Wadsworth Center in Albany. The $750 million project will replace the aging Wadsworth Center facilities in Albany and Slingerlands that serve as the public health laboratory for the state Department of Health.

The three teams are AECOM Tishman/Skanska USA; Gilbane Building Company/Turner Construction; and Pike McCarthy Joint Venture.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York will oversee the project, which is expected to attract 1,200 jobs in the life sciences and have a $2.3 billion impact on the economy, the governor's office said.

DASNY earlier issued a request for qualifications and used that to select the three firms that now will receive a request for proposals.

"A Lab for the 21st Century," as the new Wadsworth has been called, will be located at the Harriman State Office Campus in Albany's west end, near the campuses of the University at Albany and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. UAlbany's Health Sciences campus in Rensselaer was briefly considered for the new Wadsworth, before planners settled on Harriman.

"Innovative research and development will advance scientific breakthroughs out of the lab and into the real world, saving lives, creating jobs and driving billions of dollars in economic development across the state," Cuomo said in a statement announcing the selection of the teams.

DASNY will host an Industry Day with the three teams to encourage participation by minority-owned, women-owned, small, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. the event will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Albany Capital Center. Those firms wishing to participate are asked to register by March 20 at conference@DASNY.org

Assembly member Patricia Fahy, who represents Albany and sought to have the new laboratory remain in Albany, welcomed the news.

"The labs' new location presents a serious opportunity for the development of a newly walkable community and other quality of place improvements connecting the Harriman Campus to the broader community," she said in a statement. "Moreover, the local and regional economy will benefit thanks to extensive multiplier effects in job growth and wages as a result of this smart investment.

"I thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts on this and for an opportunity to show what we can do when these resources are combined with some of the best minds the world has to offer."